Tom Gibbs

Jazz Piano

Pianist Tom Gibbs was one of Jazzwise’s ‘One to Watch 2011′ and has been called ‘A star in its ascendancy’ by BBC Radio Scotland. His 2010 album ‘Forgotten Things’ co-led with Euan Burton, featured New Yorkers Ari Hoenig and Gilad Hekselman, and was one of BBC Scotland’s records of the year. The project was nominated in two categories (best band, best album) at the 2011 Scottish Jazz Awards. ’A thoughtfully composed and beautifully played set of tunes, and a disc which reveals fresh delights with each listen’ (Peter Bacon, The Jazz Breakfast). The Herald called their music ‘international in reach and quality.’

October 15th, 2012, sees the release of his new record Fear of Flying on Whirlwind Recordings, featuring Will Vinson on saxophones, James Maddren on drums, and Euan Burton on bass. This time around Gibbs takes full writing credits and the resulting album is a powerful collection of melodic jazz.

Recent shows include three shows with Ari Hoenig at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, a sold-out performance at Edinburgh Jazz Festival, performances with Thought Fox in Ireland and Portugal. His quartet was broadcast live from the Jazz Bar on Radio 3, and he has also recorded for the BBC several times as a sideman. Gibbs’ sideman work includes Stu Brown’s Raymond Scott Project who recently who recently performed at London Jazz Festival and also won the Rural Touring Support Scheme; Thought Fox, winners of Irish Music Network’s ‘Young Musicwide Award 2010-13,’ and were selected to play at the 12 Points Festival in Porto. Gibbs has recorded for bands such as Admiral Fallow (one of his solos is featured on their upcoming release) Hue and Cry and The DT6.

Gibbs was first drawn to jazz by the musicians in his family, his father and grandfather both being keen amateurs. The first CD he owned was a Horace Silver compilation gifted by his cornet-playing godfather, and it was a trip to Smalls Paradise in New York that really pushed him in a jazz direction. Tom gained a Masters with distinction at York University, a forward-thinking department where we was mentored by John Taylor and Julian Arguelles, both key influences. He also studied in New York with Jason Moran and Oslo with Ralph Alessi. Gibbs has been based in Glasgow since 2007, securing gigs with amongst others, Ulf Wakenius, Konrad Wisniewski, Paul Towndrow, Graeme Stephen, Phil Bancroft and Martin Kershaw. He plays at ‘the best jazz night in Scotland’ (BBC) every Sunday at The 78, Glasgow.

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